Can-capping machine.



6 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

Sie

F. J. HEYBACH. CAN GAPPING MAGHINE.

APPLICATION FILED sEPT.11, 190e.

Patented Sept. 28, 1909.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

I'. J. HEYBACH. CAN CAPPING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11, 1906.

w La u d j am, RN 6 v0: 5 @4 I'. J. HEYBAGH. GAN GAPPING ISLIAGHINE.V APPLIGATION FILED SEPT. 11, 190e.

Patented Sept. 28, 1909. 6 SHEETS-SHBBT 4.

F. JHEYBAGH. CAN GAPPING MAGHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11, 190s.

935,505, Patented septj28,19o9.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

F. J. HEYBAGH.

GAN GAPPING MACHINE. APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 11, 1906;

9359505 A Patented Sept.28,1909. l 6 SHEBTS-SHEET 6.

` i' UNITED y STATES PATENTOFFIC,

V'FREDERICKJ. HEYBACH, 0E SAVANNAII'GEQBGIA, ASSIGNOELBY DIRECT AND MEsNE ASSIGNMENTS, 'ro THE AMERICAN AUTOMATIC MACHINERY COMPANY, oF SAVAN- fNAH, GEORGIA, A-"C'ORPORATION OF GEORGIA.

CAN-CAPPING MACHINE.

' .'l'o vall whom 'it may concern." j

.Be it known that LITREDERICK` J. HEY- BficII, a citizen of the United States, residing at Savannalnin the county of Chatham and .State of Georgia, have Linvented new and luseful Improvements :in Can-Capping Machines, of which the following is a specification.

-1 This invention relates to can vcapping machin-es. I use this title as a convenient one and for the reason that I show a machine adapted particularly for applying caps or tops to cans. The machine may be used with equal advantage for putting covers onto receptacles other than cans, .and therefore Where I hereinafter use the designation can, I do so in a broad sense to include other receptacles, the same applying to the term capwhich is intended to include other covers.

` 2 0` A machine involving my invention is effestive, rapid and accurate in action and in the present case is lwholly automatic, although some of ythe operations may be accomp'lishedby hand. For example, where I 25` illustrate means for positively supplying cans into positions to receive caps,such cans may be' put in such'positions' by an operator. f j'ln combination with the capping apparatus I employ means' for supplying charges to the 10ans, and such means may consist of weighin apparatus such as that disclosed in Lettersatent No.'791,342 granted to me on 4May 30, 1905, and to which reference may f be had, the drawings accompanying and form- Y ing -a partof this specilication -I show in dev-tail asimple form of embodiment of -apparatus embracin my invention, which to enable those skilled in the artvto practice V40 theinvention, ,will be fully set forth in the following description, while the novelty of .said invention will be included -in the claims succeeding said description.- Various modification-s irl-structure may be adopted within the scope of my said claims.

Referring to -the.drawings, Figure 1 is a side elevation of said apparatusw rThis figure also shows" in dotted lines means for supplying cans lto the 'capping apparatus, and means-for delivering charges of maf terial to Athe'cans, Fig. 2 .is an 'elevation of the capping ,apparatus looking in the di-` reetion ofthe arrow in Fig. 1. Fig. 3 is a side elevationof-said. apparatus from the Fig.. l0 'is a to linger vshown in Specification efLetters Patent. 'v'latented Sept, 28, )1909, Appl'icationled September y1906. Serial No. 334,179.

side opposite that appearing in Fig. l.y Fig. 4 is adetail perspective View of a cap clamp.

, Fig. 5 is asimilar view of controlling mech- Aanism for the charging apparatus.' FigjG is a sectional View of escapement means and top carrier, the latter being in position to receive a top.y Fig. 7 is a similar view, the escapement means and cap carrier being in dierent positions, and the cap carrier being inthe act of applying a cap to a can which with its support and certain adjunctive devices are also shown in said ligure. Fig. 8 .is a top plan view of the parts shown in Fig. 6 and in posi-tions correspondingtherewith. Fig. 9 is a perspective view of an oscillatory shaft o r spindle, cap carrier, means for turning said: spindle and-certain other parts coperati-ve with the spindle. plan view of the upper ig. 9, and Fig. 1l is aside elevation of the same. Fig. 12 is a bottom 75 plan view of one end of the cap carrier. Fig. v18' isa longitudinal sectional view of the same. L Fig. 14 is a transverse sectional View on the line 14T-14 of Fig. 12. Fig. 15

is a ldetail view in perspective of certain clutch mechanism, and Fig. 16 is a similar view of controlling and actuating means for said clutch mechanism. Cert-ain of the iigures are on an enlarged scale. i 85 Like characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the 'several figures.

The framework for supporting the different parts of the cappinglapparatus as well as :the-can charging apparatus may be of any desirable character. The framework for such purpose shown inthe drawings is designated in a general way by 2 and consists of a base or bed from which rise at intervals transversely connected uprights or posts. o

. In Fig. 2 of the drawings I Ahave shown three inclined chutes or ways 3 which as shown .-i-n, Figs. 1, 3, 6'and 7 are inclined. These ways are forthe travel of the caps or tops which are to be applied to thecans, the c apsor''tops' passing from said chutes or ways 3 onto acap carrier as 4. This carrier as will hereinafter appear is in the present case bodily. movably mounted by virtue'of which it can apply the caps to a series of cans, for which reason the part 4 constitutes l really -a cap carrying 'and applying device tion of one of the escapement means.

-sitely from the shaft 5 the`detents 10 and 11 or a cap transferring and-applying member.

of the chutes 3 by the attendant of the machine and gravitate along the same, the delivery of caps to the cap transferring and applying device being controlled by escape.

ment means shown in detail in Figs. 6 and 7. Referring now particularly to these two figures, the numeral 5 represents a rock-shaft supported by the framework of the machine, vand to which is fastened a rock-arm 6 extending toward the front ofthe machine. To the forward end of this rock-arm 6 is shown pivoted the upper end of a link 7,v

the opposite end of said link being represented as likewise jointed to a lever .8l between the ends of said lever. The rear end of 'said lever is fulcrumed upon a bracket 9 forming part of the framing of the -machine.

I will now describe in detail the construc- There are represented as extending opporepresented as consisting of angularly disposed arms, the downwardlyjdeiiected or bent branches of which constitute the effective portions of said detents or arms. In Fig. 7 the detent 10 is represented as occupylng its effective position While the detent 11 is represented as being in an inoperative relation. With the two detents or arms in this position the downwardly bent or hooked portion of the detent or 'arm 10 will be -in front of the foremost cap of a series of caps in the cooperating chute 3,-so as to prevent the caps from descending along said chute, the cap carrying and transferring device 4 at this time being down. When the cap carrying and transferring device 4 rises, as

will hereinafter appear, it will when its upward motion is practically completed strike against the lever 8 so that on the completion of said upward motion, the lever 8 will be lifted to carry the detent 10 out of engagement with or out of the path of the foremost cap in said chute and to simultaneously cause the detent 11 to enter the second cap in said chute. vThe instant that the first cap is released by the detent 10, and 'this occurs when the part 4\is in its lcap receiving posi.

tion, said first cap will be free to travel down the chute and enter upon said part 4.

- What was the second cap will then be the first cap., although said second cap will still be upheld by the detent 11, as shown in Fig. '6. When the cap transferring and applying device 4 'descends it moves away from the lever 8 thereby permitting said lever to drop, this operation on the part of the lever4 being an automatic one, so as to cause the detents 10 and 11 to move into the position shown in Fig. 7, whereby what was at the start the second cap can travel down to the position occupied by what I have described as the rst cap. The operation of the detent or escapement mechanism is wholly automatic and said mechanism effectively controls the delivery of caps to the cap transferring and applying member 4. There are three of the detents 10 and three of the detents 11 on the shaft -and they operate together; that is,l all three detents 10 approach their effective positions simultaneously and recede therefrom simultaneously,

while the same applies to the three detents 11.

The cap transferring and applying mem-l ber 4 is shown as composed of an elongated body having on what might be considered its upper side, as that part thereof is nor- -mally up in Fig. 6, three clamping devices `for caps, each in the present case comprising a lixedor stationary jaw 12 and a movable jaw 13, the movable aws 13 being represented as pivoted to the said part 4 and as simultaneously operable by a slide as 14.

This slide 14 is represented as having three pins 15 movable in longitudinalslots in the part 4 and adapted to enter arcuate slots as 16 in the several movable jaws 13. In

Fig. 8 I have shown the jaw 13 as open and a top or cap in position to be clamped between the jaws. When the slide 14 isimoved toward the left in Fig. 8 the jaw 13 will be closed so that it can with the coperating jaw clamp the cap therebetween. The jaws 12 and 13 are rabbeted as at 17 so that when closed there will be an annular space in whichthe cap may fit, as clearly shown in Fig. 3. There will 'naturally be formed a shoulder which supports the ca p when the part 4 is 'inverted, as will hereinafter appear. A cap kicking device 19, see for eX-" ample Figs. 4 and 8, is pivotally supported between its ends in a notch as 20 in the un-` der side of thestationary jaw 12. I deem it expedient to state at this point that I am describing in detail one clamping means The movable jaw 13 is provided with an eX- tension 21 `which when said movable jaw is open presses against the tail of the cap kick-A ing device 19, 'so as to hold the same in the position shown in Fig. 8. When the jaw 13 is closed the extension 21 will be-out of confact with the tail of the cap kicking member 19, so' that the inner end of said member 19 can occu y a position flush or substantially' flush wit the vertical part of the rabbet 17 in saidjaw 12, by reason of which the cap can be properly seated in the registering rabbets 17 when the jaw 13,-is closed. When the jaw 13 is opened the extension 21 will -in Fig. 6.

strike against the tail ofthe cap kicking or ejecting device v19 and will` cause the inner end of said part 19 to free the cap from the stationary or fixedv jaw 12, whereby the cap carryingand `applying member' can freely return to its normal position or that shown The rabbeting of a can clamping device as previously set forth produces a shoulder or seatl vupon which a cap may rest. The

.jawsbf the can clamping device' are out-v wardly iared as at 13. The flared portions when`- the two jaws are closed together mate to present a `conical guide portion which is adapted to. receive the upper end of a lcan body `when the cap carrying and transferring`device is down, or is in its cap applying position, by reason of which said can bodycan be properly or accurately. centered with respec-t to the cap. From this it will be understood that I provide a suitable member having a pair of top receiving jaws provided with` complemental top supporting sea-ts, 1and an outwardly flared mouth 'leading from the seat and arranged to receive the end 'of a can, said outwardly flared mouth constituting one' effective means for centering said cambody.

The slide 14 is suitably guided @the under side of the cap4 carrying and transferring device 4 and when the same is in an advanced ,position or that to which it has two .arms 28 Serve machine.

moved for shutting simultaneously the three jaws' 13 it will be held positively in such position, for example, by means of a spring 'actuated latch as 22 (see Figs. 12 and 13) pivotally Acarried upon the under side of saidpart 4 and adapted when in its oper-l ative position to engage behind a shoulder as23 on said slide. Just before the cap carrying and transferring device 4 reacheszits extreme shifted or 'downward position, the latch 22 is tripped :ls-will hereinafter appear in order to release theslide 14 .and permit the latter to i motion the aws 1 3 are simultaneously opened. The cap carrying and transferring devlce 4 is provided at its opposite'ends with trunnions 24 supported for rocking motlon by bearing blocks as 25 mounted'for reciprocatory and 4sliding motionl-inguide slots as 26 formed in the framework of the To these trunnions are connected rods as'27, the lower ends of which are connected Iwith the rear ends of arms as 28 carried bythe rock shaft 29 the framework of thesmachine." Each-.of ,by a cam as 30 on the intermittently rotating shaft 31 sup` por-ted by suitable bearings Vupon the frame of the machine. The cams 30 are of duplicate-constructionzand by acting against the to swing saidarms down'- lower, through the inter- =the cap carrying and trans- Ward in order to mediate parts,

be retracted, during which fulcrumed` upon a v referred carries some` suitable typeof con- .y

as 32 engageable by a cam as 33, when the cams 30 have served their function of lowering the arms 28. The cam 33 by acting againstv the arml32 serves through the intermediate parts to elevate the cap carrying and transferring device 4, during which mo- `tionthe latter is turned over so that when the upward motion is completed said device will be in proper position to receive a series of caps. vI t might be remarked that the two cams-.30 and the caml33 are` at rest in Fig. 1, and allare fixed to the shaft 31.

The cap carrying and transferring device 4 has 'counterbalancing means connected therewith as suitably guided weights 34, from which extend upward cords as 35 con nected with the cap, carrying and transferring device 4` and passing respectively Abetween the ends thereof over antifrction= providedwith slats as 39 for such purpose.

The can feeding means composed of the apron 38 and its slats 39y conduct the cansto `a place where caps may be applied thereto and'. after the. said cans have been filled. When the cans are being capped they rest upon a cross piece as 40 (seel Fig. 7 which' takesup the strain put upon the cans when the caps are-beingapplied thereto. I have shown the forward end-of` the apron 38 as 'extended around a drum as 41, the shaft 42' being provided with means'such as the wings 43 vfor causing a clutch hereinafter described. to operate. This feed apr/'on 38 does'not of itself form vany part of the present invention, but is disclosed substantially in certain other applications filed by me, lone of .which wasfiled January 23, 1905, Serial N o.

242,376, and another of `which was filed f April 11, J1906, Serial No. 311,157. The apron 38 like the corresponding part set forth inthe applications Just referred to is given a step-by-step movement and on each stepthereof one, of the ,wings 43 is adapted', through intermediate parts, to effect the release of said clutch mechanism.

The shaft 3l to which ,I have hereinbefore t'inuously 4operable vmember as'. the pulley 44 which runs loose on the shaft, but which is adapted tofbe intermittently clutched thereto, as will now appear. On the shaft 31ad4 which--pivotally' carries a spring actuated paw-lf as 46, the spring of which serves to move-theope; ative end of the fpawl into' en-A iis iso

.jacent to the pulley'44 is fastened a collar 45 chine. To this spindle is attached a vrockarm 49 to -which is connected one end of a sprmg 50, the opposite end of said spring being'connected to the framework of the machine. Coperative withthis arm 49 'is a.

push member as 51 for transferring alternatel the effect of the wings 43 to the arm 49. he normal relation of the parts just described isillustrated in Fig. 16, the pawl 46 being out of engagement with the pulley 44 and being thus held by the detent 47. Itv jwill be assumed that the upper wing 43 is in the act of thrusting the push rod 51 toward the left in said gure, the shaft 42 at this time turning. As therod 51 thus moves the detent 47 is caused by the rod 51 striking against the arm 49 to pass free of the pawl 46 so that the latter by the power of its spring can be caused to engage the pulley 44 for clutching said pulley to the shaft 31,- at

which -time the shaft ris caused to rotate.y

- lThe instant that the wing 43 passes out of contact with the rod 51 the rod, arm 49 and detent 47 are returned to their original pojsitions by means of the spring 50,.whereby when the pulley has made.l practically one fun tarn thema of the pawl 46 will be carried under the detent 47 so that the latter can trip the pawl and disengageit from the pulley 44, when thel latter has made one com-A plete turn by reason of which further movement of the pulleyv is prevented until lthe same .is connected with said pawl 46 through the primary action of a wing 43as previf ously described.A The spindle 48 has a suitable handle as 48 at its upper end, whereby the sameand consequently the detent 47 can be manually operated. In addition to the spindle l48'there is .a f cond spindle 52 provided at its base with an off-turned foot 53 equipped with aulateral projection 54 which 'during the normal operation of the machine 55- ltail of the pawl 46 so'as to prevent saidpawl lies perpendicularly above the center of motion of the pawl 46. This spindle 52 provides a means for throwing the shaft 31 out of action, for the spindle 52 can be turned to carry the lateral extension 54' over the from being thrust into engagement with the pulley 44 byl the power-of its spring when said pawl is released by the detent 47 .j Thespindle 52` is illustrated as provided at itsY upper end-with va handle 52'., by which it can be readily. turned. When, therefore, ,the

shaft 31 is rotated or given one complete,

turn the cap carrying and transferring device 4 is moved from its' upper to its lower' position and is then returned to said upper position by the action of the two cams 30 and the single cam 33, as hereinbefore described. During the downward motion of the said cap carrying and transferring device 4 the same is turned from the position .in `which itis represented as occupying in 6 to that shown in Fig. 7, .so as to bring it in proper 'relation to app'lythe several caps-clamped thereon to the row .of cans resting upon the beam or strip 40, and I will now describe the means shown for this purpose. One of the trunnions 24, or that which is represented in the foreground in Fig. 1, has fastened thelieto a toothed segment 55, the teeth of which are adapted -to mesh with the teeth of a rack-bar as y56 fastened upon the frame of the machine.

When the cap carrying and transferring device is drawndown the same is, through the'mesh of the parts 55I and 56, given the necessary turn, the inversion of the said part 4 being concluded when the segment 55 passes out o f engagement with the rack bar 56. The cap carrying and transferring -device, however, hasy a further downward movement beyond this point and during this downward movement means such as thosel now to be described are provided for preventing aceidental turning motion of the -part 4. Upon the trunnion 24 shown in the foreground in Fig. 3 is a polygonal eXtension57 shown asvrectangular and which is adapted to enter the upper open end of the slot or aperture 58 in the framework of the machine just at the time the segment 55 f passes out of engagement with the rack bar 56. The-:extension 57 is-shown as horizontally disposed in Fig. 3, the part 4 at this time kbeing nearly up. When said part 4,

however,s turned the extension 57 will hang down in a vertical position so that it can enter the slot -58 and then vride down the same, the upper end of said slot being laterally widened to facilitate the entrance of the extension 57 thereinto. j On lthe upward movement of the part 4 and when a certain ldistance has .been traversed the extension 57 will pass out ofthe slot '58 and the teeth ofthe segment or sector 55 will engage the teeth of the rack bar -56 to reverse the position 'lof thecap carrying and, transferring device, theAV reversal of movement being completed when said part .4' reaches its eXtreme upper POSitQnf-r fr i .After` the several "caps are delivered onto 'the cap'carrying and transferring device 4,

the jaws 1'3 thereofareclosed and following this the llowering of'saidcap carr ing and transferringdevice takes place an just before the .downward movementof the device 4 is completed 'said -j'aws 13- are released so that they can be opened4 and the'advantageous means shown in the drawings for' securing these 'functions will now be set forth. The jaws 13are`opened and closed by the movement ofthe Slide 14; which has' apin 59 extending through a` longitudinal slot in the cap carrying and transferring device 4 and which is alternately engageable by the fin' gers 60 and 61 yieldingly connected with the vertically disposed shaft 62 as will hereinafter appear. This shaft 62 'has opposite movements from the cent-raler intermediate position which it is shown as occupying in F ig. 9. This nor-mall relation of the shaft 62 is represented as maintained by a flat spring as 63 connected atone end withthe framing of the machine, and the other end thereof fitting a notch orrecess irl-the collar 64 fastened to said shaft which is sustained for yoscillation by suitable bearings on the framework. The shaft 62 is representedas provided with a'second collar 65 below the .first collar 64. The collar 65 has an eXtens1on or 'projection 66 of diamond form in cross section and operable alternately by arms as 67 and 68 fastened tothe shaft 31, said arms being shown as equipped with anti-frictioIirollers 69 and 70 respectively for directly engaging the periphery of said s diamond-shaped projection 66.

It will be assumed that the cap carrying and transferring device 4 is in the position shown in Fig. 6, that three caps have been supplied thereto, and that theshaft 31 has been thrown in operation. 0n the initial movement of the shaft -31 the anti-friction roller 69 will be caused to ride successively: along the two inclined faces on one side of i the diamond-shaped projection 66. As the anti-friction roller 69 travels down the upper of'said faces the shaft 62 forv simultaneously closing the three jaws 13 for the'purpose of clamping the caps as hereinbefore described. Vhcn the jaws are closed the latch 22 will automatically ,engage behind the shoulder 23 to prevent accidental opening of the jaws. When the roller 69 rides down thesecond or lower inclined face on one side-of the diamondsshaped projection 66 \theresult is that the shaft 62 is released` and can be returned to its central position by the power of the spring 631 which,

- as will be understood, was tensioned on the initial movementof said shaft 62. After the jaws 13 are locked closed the cams 30 become effective for lowering thecap carry-f.

ing and transferring device 4 as hereinbefore described.` J ust be ore the cap carrying and -transferring device 4 reaches .the` .limit of 4 is given a turn so as to cause the finger 60 to operate the pin 59 in a direction to move the slide 14.

by the operation of the finger -liagainst the pin 59.' The tripl device 71 is shown as a projection 66 (see Fig. 9) so as to -turn the shaft 62 in the direction to carry the Enger 61 against lthe pin -59 for retracting the slide 14a-nd thereby, as will be understood,` opening the three jaws 13, the, caps at this time having been applied to the three cans, owing to the fact that the device 4 has completed its downward movement. The caps are wholly freed from the' jaws, as hereinbefore described, as soon as the jaws 13 are opened. When the anti-friction roller rides down the lowerleft face of the projection '66 the shaft 62 can be returned-to its original-or central position by the power of the spring 63.

The two lingers 60-and 61 have a yielding motion'in a direction opposite that in which their effect is applied to the pin 59, so that in case any obstruction is encounteredby the slide`14 and jaws 13 no injury can result,`

and the mounting for this purpose is shown in detail in Figs. 10 `and 11, wherein the upper one of the two lingers 60 and v61 is v shown. The other fin-ger is similarly mounted. The linger 60 is pivoted to a part 73 which in turn is pivoted to a block 74 fastened suitably to the shaft 62. A spring 75 is interposed between the pivoted member 73 and the block or collar 74, such. spring 75 servingV to conveniently hold the nger 60 yieldingly in its operative position. The detailed description of vthe nger 60 and its immediate ad`uncts applies to the lower finger 61, for w ich/reason corresponding characters will be used to designa-te similar parts in the two. lIn addition to the spring 7571 may as a further precaution provide springs as 76 for holding the fingers 6() and 61 yieldingly Ain place, the springs 76 acting transversely to the springs 75, and their presence avoiding injury V"by the ngers Y striking the part 4.

In application No. 311,157 is disclosed an endwise movable clutch controlling member and l Vhave shown in the drawings such 'an .endwise movable clutch controlling member,

the same being designated'by 77 and being shown clearly in Fig. 5. This clutch controlling member 77 'forms in itself` no part of the present invention, fbr which reason .it is unnecessary to describe. in detail the operation of the same and the part-s 1n prac, tice that immediately coperate therewlth for these are fully brought out in the application to which I have last referred. This clutch controller 7 7 is normally held against vvmovement; by a detent as 78 on one end o'f lthe-shaft7 9 carried for rocking motion 'by advancing stroke such as by a spring, which spring I illustrate in the drawingsnrand des-- ignate by 81. On the advancingfstrke of the clutch controlling -member a --eliit'chjx is thrown' in action for setting inl-leperation tapping mechanism and can f eediiig. means as well as means for returning said power operated member to itsoriginal position for repeating the ,weighing operations. By governing the operation of the member 77 I govern also as will be apparent the action of the wei hing apparatus which I use ,for

charging t e empty cans. When the detent 7 Sis disengaged from the clutch controlling device 77, .the latter may be given its advancing movement by the power of its spring 8.1 ton-throw into action av clutch, as fully brought out in the` application to which Ihave last referred.

Upon theI framework of the machine is suitably. guided for vertical movement a rod 82 jl'iaving on one sidethereof parallel pins zisi183 to freely receive between them an arm as 8-1 carried by the rock shaft 79 in line with thev detent or arm 78. On this rod 82 below the pins 83 is a projection 85 in position for engagement by the cap carrying and transferring device 4, the parts being so related that w-hen the cap carrying and transferring device has practically completed -its upward movement it strikes against the projection a85 and thrusts'the rod 82 .upward moving the arm 81 ina corresponding direction and through the shaft 79 lifting the detent 78 clear of the clutch controlling meinber 77 so that the latter can be given its advancing stroke by the power of thespring 81. Indotted lines in Fig. 1 ofthe drawings the charging apparatus for the cans may consist of weighing apparatus such as that disclosed in Letters-Patent to which I have hereinbefore referred, the, bucket .of one of which is shown in Fig. l and is denoted by 86. These buckets deliver their charges into 'hoppers as' 87 which direct them into the.

empty cans movable step-.by-step along ways as 37, the substance when inthe cans being solidified therein by tapping mechanism, one

element of which appears dotted lines in said Fig. 1 and is a mutilated toothed wheel88.

The fillingmachine forms kno part of the `present invention as claimed, but it has been diagrammatically illustrated and briefly de a cap' carrying Inechanism for o scribed in order' that a incre intelligent un derstanding of the construction and operation ofthe complete machine may be had.

Filled and capped cans aredelivered by I the step-by-step moving apron 38 onto an endless belt as 89 passed around pulleys as 90 and 91 on the framework of the machine (see Fig." 2), the shaft of the pulley 90 being connected by worm geariiig denoted in a general way by 92 with a shaft 93 which in turn is connected by friction gearing denoted in a general way by 94 with the intermittently rotative shaft 31 by which it will be apparent that the movement of the belt 89 is a step-by-step one. Between the trans,- versely movable apron 38 and endless belt 89 are several curved and vertically disposed plates as 95, the purpose of which is to positively sweep the filled and capped cans from out of the range of action of the apron 38.

`Briefly set forth the operation of the capping apparatus is as follows: In Figs. l, 3, 6 and 8 the parts are represented as occupying their normal positions and it will be i assumed that at this time there is a row of carryingand transferring device is lowered.

During-the downward movement of the cap carrying and iransferring device the same is inverted so that 'as shown in Fig. 7 it can properly apply the caps to the lled cans.

When the caps have been applied the aws 13 'f' are opened and the caps are positively freed from their seats in the stationary jaws, all as previously set forth. Following this, the cap carrying and transferring device is elevated to repeat the operation and to .permit the entrance `thereinto of a series of caps when said capfcarrying and transferring device I has reached its extreme upper positions, as

hereinbefore set forth. What I claim is:

1. AIn an apparatus of\ the class described', a cap carrying and transferring device-andmechanism `for bodily reciprocating said cap carrying and transferring device land for turning the same independently of and during the said re'ciprocatory movement.

2. In an apparatus of the classldescribed, a cap carrying and transferring devicea bod-- ily movable from anupper to a lower position and also capable o f turning movement vindependently of said othermovement 3. In an 'apparatus of. thejelas's" described, and transferring device,

dily moving the cap carryi ing and transferring device^from an upper to a lower position and-for then returning the same, and independent means for turning said cap carrying and-'transferring'de-l transferring device downward and then upvice.

4. In an apparatus of the class described, a cap carrying and transferring device, mechanism for moving the same from an upper to aA lower position and-then retur ing the same, a gear member connected wi h the cap carrying device, and an independent gear member meshing with the other gear member and serving to turn the cap carrying and transferring device during the downward motion thereof.

5. In an apparatus of the class described, a cap carrying and transferring device, mechanism for moving the same from an upper to a lower-position and then returning the saine, a gear member connected with the cap carrying device, an independent gear member meshing with theother gear mem` ber and serving to turn thecap carrying and A transferring devlce during the downward motion thereof, the first gear member t' being adapt-ed to pass out of mesh witli the second gear member at a predetermined point in the descent of the cap carrying and transferring device, and means for prevent-l,

ing accidental turning movement of the cap carrying and transferring device when the first gear member is out of mesh with the second gear member.

6. In an apparatus of the class described, a -cap carrying and transferring device, mechanism for movin the cap carrying and transferring` ldevice from an upper` to a. lower position and for then returning the same,` atoothed segment connected with the cap ycarryingand transferring device,'.and a stationary rack bar, the teeth of which mesh with .thoseof the segment for turning the cap carrying and transferring device ony the downward movement thereof, the framework having a slot, and'thepcap carrying device `having a member to enter said slot for preventing turning motion of the cap carrying and transferring device when the egment passes out of mesh .with the rack 7. In an apparatus of the class described, a cap carrying and transferring device, vertically slidable befarings, the cap carrying and transferring device having trunnions supported for turning motion by said bearings, a toothed segment fixed to one of the trunnions, a stationary rack bar, the teeth of- Which are adapted to mesh with those of the segment for turning the cap carrying and transferring device on the downward movement thereof, a polygonalvprojection connected with the cap Icarrying `and transferring device, the framework having a slot to receive said projection when the segmentpasses out of mesh with the rack bar to thereby prevent accidental movement of the` cap carrying andv transferring device, and means for moving the cap carrying' and ward.

8. In an apparatus of the class described;`

a counterbalanced cap carrying-and transferring device, mechanism for'moving the same downward and then upward, and means for positively turning said cap carrying and transferring device during its downward movement.

9. In an apparatus of theclassdescribed,

a cap carrying and transferring device capable of applying caps to receptacles, mech# anism for bodily moving the cap carrying and transferring device from a cap receiving to a cap applying-position, means for supplying caps to sald cap carrying and transferring device when the same is in its cap receiving position, and means operable by the cap carrying and transferring device for controlling t-he feed of caps thereto.

1l. In an apparatus of the class described, a cap 'carrying and transferring device capable of directly applying caps to receptacles, mechanism for bodily moving the same from a cap receiving to a cap applying position,

'ga' chute to supply caps to the cap vcarrying and transferring device, two detents controlling the feed ofthe caps along the chute7 and means operable by the cap carrying and transferring device to move oneyof the detents into an effective or'cap arresting polsition and the otherY into an ineffective or cap releasing position.

1 2. In an apparatus ofthe class described, a cap carrying and transferring device, mechanism.for moving the same from a cap receiving to a cap applying position and then returning the same to said cap receiving position, a chute for supplying caps to the cap carrying and transferring device, a shaft, oppositely disposed detents connected with the shaft for controlling the feed of the caps along said chute, an arm on the shaft, a lever, and a link extending between said lever and arm, the' cap carrying and transferring device as it moves toward its "upper position serving to operate the vlever and thereby, throu h the 'intermediate vconnections, saidshatlto move one of the detents into an operative position an inoperative position.

13. In an apparatus of the class described,

and the yother into the' combination of a cap-supplying device, l

means for supporting aA can in uprightl position, and a reciprocatory cap-transferring 'las while reciprocating between the cap-supplying device to a can on the can support.

1li. In an apparatus of the class described, an inclined cap-supplying chute, means for supporting a receptacle in cap-receivingposition, a device for transferring caps from 10 said chute and-applying them'to the receptacle, said device being provided withjaws capable of being operated to provide a lateral opening to receive a cap from said chute and constitutin when closed a cap clamp, means for bodi y moving said device from a cap-receiving to a cap-applying position, means for inverting the position of said device while moving from a cap-receiving to a cap-applying position, and .means for opening said jaws to receive a cap from said j chute.

15. In an apparatus of the class described,

a cap carrying and transferringdevice provided with a clamp comprising jaws, Jaw operating means to cause the clamp to clamp i-and then unclamp a cap, mechanism' for reciprocating the capcarrying and transferring device, and independent means for turning the same during reciprocation.

16. In an apparatus of the class described, a cap carrying and transferring4 device havino can clamping means comprising` a movabIe jaw, means for reciprocating' and for also inverting said cap carrying and transferring device, and' means 4for operating said movable jaw to clamp a cap before the lcap carrying and transferring device is inverted and for operating said .movable jaw lafter said cap `carrying and transferring device is inverted tofunclamp said cap.

1 7. In an apparatus of the class described, a cap carrying means providedawith a cap clamp comprising a movable jaw, a shaft having fingers for operating said movable jaw in-'opposite directions, andymcans for .positively turning the shaftoppositcly from a central position. f 18. In an apparatus of the class described, a cap carrying means provided with a ca clamp comprising a movable jaw, asha having fingers for' operating .said movable jaw -in opposite directions, means for oppositely turning. the shaft alternately from a rections alternatey to clam l a'cap, a rotary shaft provi ed with a procentral position, and yieldable means for vholding said shaft positively in said central /position. l

19. In an apparatus of the class described, a cap carrying means having a cap clamp comprising a movable jaw, a shaft having fingers for movin said jaw in o posite dian unclamp jection having faces inclined toward each other, an arm -on said secondfshaft to eingage; one of said inclined faces to move the first mentioned shaft in one direction from a central position, a second arm on said shaft for engaging another of said inclined faces for moving said shaft in ian opposite direction from said central position.

20. In an apparatus of the class described, cap carrying means provided with a cap clamp comprising a movable jaw, yieldably mounted fingers for alternately operating said'movable jaw to clam cap, a shaft to which sai fingers are connected, means for operating the shaft alterfl vn ately in opposite directions from a central position, and means for positively holding said shaftnori'nally in said central position. 21. In an apparatus of the class described,

a cap carrying and transferring device provided with a cap clamp comprising a movable jaw, mechanism for moving the cap carrying and transferring device from an upper to a lower position and for also inverting said cap carrying and transferring device during its downward motion, a shaft provided with means for o erating the jaw to move the same into cap c amping and cap releasing. positions in succession, a latch on the cap carrying and transferring device for holding said jaw in cap clamping' relation,

and a tripv device on said shaft for operating said latch to release said movable jaw when the cap carrying and transferring device has substantially reached its lowest position.

22. In an apparatus of the class described, a ca carrying and transferring ydevice provide with a clamp lconsisting of a xed and a pivoted jaw, means for movin said pivoted jaw toward and from the xed jaw to successively clamp and unclamp a capand moving said .fcapmechanism for bodil carrying and transferring device after a cap is gripped by the clamp held thereby.

23. In an apparatus of the class a cap carrying and transferring device "provided with a cap clamping member havin a stationary and a pivoted jaw provide with rabbets which mate to form a cap seat f when the pivotedjaw is closed against the stationary jaw, means for moving the pivoted jaw toward and from the stationary jaw to successively clamp and unclamp the cap, and mechanism for bodily moving said capcarrying and transferring device after a 'cap has been clamped .by said vclamping member and a kicker carried by the stationary jaw,

the pivoted jaw having means for operating and unclamp a' described,

24. In an apparatus of the 'class described,

carrying andtransferring device, va clutch a detent fornormally holding the controller, f

means or Vclutch controller againstV action,

vsaid'kicker to-cause the latter'to disengage thecap froiuthe-.s'tationary jaw when'the ,pivoted jaw is opened.

when the same is released by said detent,

and means operable bythe said cap carry- -ing and transferring device for operating the detent in a direction to release the clutch controller when said cap Carrying device reaches its uppermost position.

25. An apparatus of the class described comprising a cap-feeding chute, a can support, a device freciprocable between said chute and the can support and capable of receiving a cap, from the chute and transferring and applying it to a can on said support, and means for automatically inverting the position o f said devicewhile moving from a cap-receiving to a cap-applying position.

26. An apparatus of the class describedk comprising a cap-supplying device, means for supporting a filled can in upright position -to receive a cap, a vertically reciprocable device capable of receiving a cany from the cap supplying. device and transferring and applying it to the flled'can on said support, and means for automatically inverting the position of said device while moving from a cap-receiving to a cap-applying position.

27. An apparatus of the class described comprising a can Support, a cap-supplyingk chute, and a cap-transferring and applying device reciprocable between the chute and can support, said device carrying jaws capable of opening at one side to receive a'cap from the chute, and means for holding said jaws in closed posit-ion while said device is moving from a cap-receiving to a cap-applying position. t

28. An apparatus of the class described comprising a cap-supplying chute, a can support, a cap-transferring and applying device bodily .reciprocable between the chute and can support, means for inverting said device while moving from a cap-receiving to 'a cap-applying position, and means operative automatically to hold a cap on said de vice during its inversion.

29.' A capping machine comprising .an in-` clined cap-supplying chute, a support for a can or receptacle, a cap-transferring and applying device reciprocable vertically between said chute and can support, means for bodily inverting said device while moving from a cap-receiving to a cap-applying position, and

means operative by the cap-transferring and applying device for controlling the supply of caps thereto from said chute. f

clined Vcap-supplying chute, a support for a can or receptacle, and -a device capable of transferring a cap `from'saidfchute and ap. plying it to a can or receptacle on said sup"- port, said device having means for positionin'g it in yalineinent with the. discharge. end

o f the chute to receive a cap and. for moving it into a position to apply such cap to the can or receptacle on said support.

3l. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of capping mechanism, means for operating the capping mechanism including a one revolution clutch, can feeding mechanism, and means operated from the can feeding mechanism for throwing said clutch into action. A

32. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of cap applying mechanism, driving mechanism for the cap applying mechanism including a one-revolution clutch provided with`a pawl, can feeding mechan-- ism, and ineansoperable by the can feeding mechanism for actuating said nawl to cause the operation of the capping mechanism.

33. In an apparatus of the class described, l

the combination of can capping mechanism,

ya power operated member, can feeding mechl 4,capping mechanism inworking relation with said power operated Imember to ca{1se\thce action ofsaid capping mechanism.

` 34; In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of can capping mechanism, feeding mechanism" for thel cans, driving mechanism for the can capping mechanism includingl a clutch, and means operable by the i can feeding. mechanism to throw said clutch into action` to cause the loperation of said capping mechanism.

35. In an apparatus of the class described,

a cap-carrying and transferring device,

meansfor supporting a can in upright posi-y tion, the cap-carrying and transferring deioo vice and the can support being relatively movable toward and from one another, and

means foi' supplying a'cap to. said cap-carrying and transferring device when the saine 1s in its cap-receiving position, mechanism for bodily inverting the cap-carrying and transferring device as, the latter moves from acap-receiving to a cap-applying position.

36. In an apparatus of the class described, the combination of an inclined cap-supplying chute, means' for supporting a can in upright position, and a cap-carrying ana transferring' device movable between said chute and said can supporting means and embodying lmechanism for bodily inverting its position after it has received a cap from .saidJ .chute and whileit moves into a position to annlv such t cap to the upright can. 30. A capping machine comprising an in- 

